How Are Damages Calculated in a Wrongful Death Case in Salt Lake City?

Wrongful death damages in Salt Lake City are calculated by adding the deceased’s financial losses, such as lost income and funeral costs, to the value of lost love, companionship, and guidance. No amount of money can replace your loved one, but learning how damages work can help you protect your family’s future. Reach out to a wrongful death attorney in Salt Lake City if a loved one has passed due to another’s negligence.

Economic Damages Cover Measurable Financial Losses

Economic damages compensate your family for losses with a specific dollar value. These amounts are calculated using documents like bills, receipts, pay stubs, and tax returns.

Common economic damages in a wrongful death claim include:

• Medical expenses from the final injury or illness
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost wages and benefits your loved one would have provided
• The value of household services, such as childcare, home maintenance, and transportation

Lost Future Income Is Projected Over a Lifetime

Lost income is often the largest part of a wrongful death claim. To calculate it, personal injury attorneys in Salt Lake City typically work with economists who project what your loved one would have earned over the rest of their working life.

This projection is based on several personal and financial details. It usually considers:

• Your loved one’s age and health at the time of death
• Their expected retirement age and remaining working years
• Current salary, wages, and work history
• Likely raises and promotions based on education and career path
• Health insurance, retirement contributions, and other employment benefits
• Inflation and expected wage growth over time

Non-Economic Damages Address the Loss of a Relationship

Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional impact of losing a loved one. These damages may account for lost love, companionship, emotional support, guidance, and parental care. Utah law does not use a set formula or fixed dollar amount for these losses. Instead, a judge or jury decides what amount is fair based on the facts of your case.

The amount depends on the nature of the relationship and how the death has affected each family member. Testimony from friends and relatives, photographs, and details of your shared life all help demonstrate the depth of that loss.

Utah Laws That Affect Your Recovery

Several state rules can affect the final value of a wrongful death claim. For example, Utah’s comparative fault rule reduces your family’s compensation by the percentage of fault assigned to your loved one. If your family’s damages total $1,000,000 and your loved one is found 20% at fault, your family can recover $800,000. If your loved one is found 50% or more at fault, your family cannot recover any damages.

Punitive damages may be available if the at-fault party acted maliciously or with reckless indifference to others’ safety. Utah does not impose a maximum limit on punitive damages, so a jury can set the amount based on how serious the misconduct was and what is needed to discourage similar behavior.

Protect Your Family’s Future with We Win Injury Law

Calculating wrongful death damages requires a full accounting of your family’s financial and emotional losses, both today and in the years ahead. At We Win Injury Law, we work with economists and other professionals to document the total impact of your loss and pursue every category of damages available under Utah law. Contact our team of accident attorneys in Salt Lake City to discuss your family’s situation and learn what your claim may be worth.